Jellyfishing

One of the days we all decided to go snorkeling. Normally when you go snorkeling it’s a relaxing experience. Not in Hainan. Snorkeling is more a time to test your skills at dodging a “smack” of jellyfish. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at the drop site, looked over the edge, and saw fifty jellyfish just hanging out. I was surprised at how terrified I was. It didn’t comfort me that we were in wet suites, wearing garden gloves, and equip with big black rubber flippers. My face, wrists, and ankles were exposed, and I just knew a slimy tentacle would catch my naked skin. Despite my fears I jumped in. I wish I could say I relaxed and enjoyed the underwater scene, but that would be a lie. Remember your first time in a haunted house…all the panic and fear of having some nasty monster jump out of the dark? That’s how I felt. I was so relieved when it was time to swim back to the boat that I got over excited and started heading for the boat as quickly as I could. Just as I was nearing the boat I swam directly into a mass of jellyfish. I felt trapped and horrified. Staring at them wasn’t helping, so I turned on my back, and started swimming backwards towards the boat. It was at that point that I felt a sting on my wrist. One got me. I made it back to the boat and am proud to say I have overcome my fear of jellyfish.